Day 10 East Glacier to Sheby MT

From sunburn to freezer burn, I am retracting the statement I made about Montana’s weather. Waking up and looking over the deck at the frosty yard should have been a clue. When the riders left Sharon Wagner’s home at eight, the skies were questionable and the temp was climbing through the low thirties. Many layers were worn until the afternoon and the temps toped out in the fifties. Dick took a minute to catch up on the news while Bill was still stacking on the clothes.
The cold temp didn’t slow the team down much and it seems they were taking lunch in Cut Bank within minutes of having left East Glacier. Some major road construction caused the riders to hitch a ride with the van for the last few miles in to Cut Bank; as it turns out, not quite soon enough as we think that is the cause of Bill's flat tire. Rather than a roadside repair, we decided to swap out wheels and take care of it in Shelby. The last dozen or so miles were quick but the riders were still grateful for the kind and generous offerings of a donated room at the Glacier Motel on Highway 2, thanks to Ross and Gene McFee. With the early start and a good pace all day the team was able to cover the 70 miles in just under four hours, which gave them plenty of time to clean up the bikes after the previous days slop and grit.
With a century day planed tomorrow, carbs for dinner and early to bed, “Cause I Said So.”

Day 9 East Galcier MT

The thunderstorms rolled through last night and dropped some much needed rain in the area. The gardens were happy but the rider’s spirits fell with the rain. Christine out did herself once again and got the guys started with a hearty breakfast of eggs and toast. Thanks again, Chris for the hospitality.

We drove to Glacier National Park, thinking that a climb to Logan Pass would be a great way to start the day of pedaling. Unfortunately the road was closed to cars so the team was on there own for the climb and descent. I am normally close by, so I get first hand info and stories for the blog. This time I will have to rely on them telling me all that happened, so here it goes. The climb began with a 45 degree accent, which was no problem until the wind started kicking up in to the nineties. That slowed them down a bit, but they pressed on it to three feet of snow…Actually the climb up was a grand time, the rain was heavy at times but the view kept them going. The road crews are still in the process of clearing the snow off the road and repairing many of the washouts and guardrails that had been removed by the previous winter’s avalanches. Rocks and gravel still strewn about on the road and water, three inches deep at times crossed the road in places. It was a busy day on the pass: many young kids and their mums were out and about enjoying park. Lots of questions about the “important” looking cyclist riding today, and many opportunities to spread the word of the Tyler Hamilton Foundation.

The team came off the mountain to hot chocolates and turkey sandwiches, an odd combo but it did the trick of getting them warmed up. As the riders warmed in the van, the rain began to fall heavier with the passing minutes. Looking at a long day involving Marias pass, the team decided to call it a day and stay warm and dry in the van for the two hour drive to East Glacier. Thanks to Sharon Wagner and her generosity the team was able to have a home for the night. With all the damp gear washed up and dried the riders are ready to hit the plains. Yeah for the flat country…
Quote for the day "Ride naked, It adds color to your cheeks", seen on a Maine plated car in the parking lot of the Firebrand Inn.

Day 8 Eureka MT to Whitefish MT

One more incredible day for the books. Western Montana really knows how to do weather. After a good nights rest at the Ksanka Motel, the THF team headed south down Tobacco Valley Road, a quiet road that eased them in to the day of pedaling. Knowing they had a short day ahead, Dick put the hammer down with Bill in tow, keeping up a good clip for the duration of the pedal south in the Flathead Valley. An early arrival to Sasha and Christine's home just north of Whitefish is just what the leg and bum doctor ordered. Afternoon was spent running errands in town, bike maintenance, doing laundry and resting as much as possible. Big thanks to Christine for the perfect dinner and hospitality to match, plus an introduction to Prince and a peak at Sasha's extensive motorcycle collection; the cyclist had a bit of envy for the self propelled cycles.
News flash: We recieved word from Kyle McClellan of The Western News that the riders will be gracing the pages this Wednesday, be sure to take a look www.thewesternnews.com

Day 7 Libby to Eureka

Perfect day for a ride. With an 8am start, whoops, make that 9am (timezones), the cyclists started with a clear cool morning and temps in the high forties; the riders rolled on to highway 37 and were greeted with splendid scenery along the Kootenai River. I caught up with Bill and Dick taking their first break at the Libby dam, with media in tow. Kyle McCellan from The Western News came out to cheer the bikers on. We also hope to make the news in Libby; apparently we didn't have much competition, as it was a slow news day in Libby. We thank Kyle for the support and the energy, his excitment for the cause and cycling made for a quick and energizing morning. After lunch, and a snooze for Dick, we parted ways with the press and pushed on to Eureka. With no shortage of scenery to take their minds off the pedaling, the riders were able to cover the 68 miles in just under four hours and twenty-five minutes. Not to make it sound easy, they sure had to crank up there share of hills: tis true everything is bigger out here. We want to thank Andre and Gail Hofstee of the Ksanka Motel, they were super gracious and donated a room for the night. Many thanks to Gail and Andre, there kind of support keeps the wheels turning. With a comfortable room and beds waiting the riders were able to kick back and relax a spell and chat with the locals. We are all looking foward to a shorter day tomorrow and a nice afternoon off, more news then. Thanks again to all for the suppport.

Day 6 Sandpoint ID to Libby MT

One day, one more state off the list. Montana won't be so easy, But the bikers are looking foward to some more beautiful country and the always enjoyable tailwind.
With a bit of a late exit from Sandpoint, the stokers (as we have found cyclist are called in these parts of Montana) had a gorgeous morning pedaling along the northern shore of Lake Pend Oreille. We stopped for a bite to eat at the quiet town of Huron, and with a bit of help with directions from and Australian, go figure, we continued on to Libby. Turning north on highway 56 we bumped in to a bit of a cross wind bit the incredible views of the Cabinet Mountains more than made up for the loss of momentum. With thirty or so miles to go, the bikers...stokers started to feel a bit of strain; sun and wind can zap energy as can biking over 500 miles in the last six days. With a replenish of water, fruit and an energy bar, they were able to plow through the home stretch. Yeah Libby...One more replenish: of spaghetti and meatballs this time and to the room for some needed rest. EUREKA tomorrow.

Day 5 - Spokane, WA to Sandpoint, ID

Day Five – Spokane, WA to Sandpoint, ID
After filling our bellies with home-made granola, we rolled away from the beautiful Cosgrove home with Art Cosgrove joining the group for the first few miles. From there the trio climbed gradually through the pine forests and dropped into the Pend Orielle River valley, heading for Sandpoint, Idaho.


After lunch in the historic mill-town of Newport, Washington (Many thanks to the Aerie at the Newport Chamber of Commerce for helping to spread the word) we mounted up and continued the last 34 miles along the incredibly scenic Pend Orielle river, winding our way into the Selkirk mountains. Temperatures stayed perfect – topping out around 72 degrees mid-day. The riders were feeling strong thanks to a consistent tailwind, and kept up a brisk pace the whole day.
We arrived early afternoon in Sandpoint, Idaho, hometown of teammate Cassandra and of our first-week driver, Scot Auld. Cassandra and her husband Chris Ankney hosted us all at their home for a big dinner and to celebrate our arrival in the great state of Idaho. Here we will leave Scot as he returns to his family and real life as a manager at Schweitzer Mountain Resort. Gray Davis, the next driver, will take the wheel tomorrow as the THF Coast to Coast team heads across the narrow panhandle of Idaho and into Montana. Cassandra too will be leaving the team for a short time to get caught up on life and work – but will be rejoining Bill and Dick in Bismarck, ND.
After dinner Bill and Dick took the van up to the village at Schweitzer Mountain Resort, another generous supporter of the Coast to Coast trip, sponsoring the lodging for the team this night. Tomorrow Dick and Bill will head into Big Sky Country!

PS: I want to thank Dick Tapply and Cassandra Ankney for first offering me the opportunity to support this great adventure – and second for talking me into taking it! It has been a great learning experience for me, as well as a wonderful opportunity to meet some new friends and reconnect with some old ones. Moreover, I am grateful for the chance to share the challenges, successes, and good laughs with three amazing people whom I admire greatly. My thoughts will be with you – I wish you the best in completing your journey. Thanks again – and perhaps the next time our paths merge I’ll be riding a bicycle. – Scot

Day 4 Grand Coulee, WA to Spokane, WA

Day Four – Grand Coulee, WA to Spokane, WA

Anticipating their hottest temperatures yet and some solid climbing out of the gate, the Coast to Coast THF team arose early while the air was still cool. Cassandra wanted first shot at the hill, and hit the road before Dick and Bill had even started breakfast. Our host, Bob Pachosa, cooked up a tasty waffle breakfast and after handshakes and goodbyes the riders began their climb out of the Columbia River Valley and up onto the plateau toward Spokane. About 10 miles into the climb, Dick and Bill began to suspect that Cassandra must have had a secret power-breakfast that morning, as she cleared the top of the steep opening grade in impressive time and kept up a strong pace – Dick and Bill finally caught her just before Wilbur. The trio kept a brisk pace along the flats, aided at times by a nice tailwind

We traveled on Highway 2 again now, passing through the small towns of Wilbur, Creston, Davenport and others – rocky sagebrush rangeland interspersed with intensely green fields of spring crops. Although the sun was bright and getting hot, the cool breeze continued most of the day, keeping conditions tolerable.

As we passed Fairchild AFB and began the decent into the city of Spokane, the traffic picked up and the winds died. The temps had climbed to 85 and in the city it felt hotter. Cassandra opted to avoid the heat and traffic and while she made a supply run, Dick and Bill continued the final, urban leg to the beautiful north Spokane home of Dick’s friends Art & Marty Cosgrove. We were treated to a delicious dinner of big hand-made burgers and baked beans – a much needed protein-fest after a hot 97 mile day! When the evening routine of bike maintenance and stretching was over, a few stories were swapped but it wasn’t long before some yawning developed. Everyone was ready for bed.
Tomorrow will be a scenic, gradual climb up Highway 2 from Spokane into the Pend Orielle River valley, crossing into Idaho and ending the day in the resort town of Sandpoint, Idaho.